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A Diverse and Inclusive Profession Benefits Us All

May 16, 2018

Overview

Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt stands in complete agreement with the Oregon State Bar’s “Statement on White Nationalism and Normalization of Violence” as published in the April 2018 issue of the Oregon State Bar Bulletin. We join the Oregon State Bar in its denouncement of white nationalism, hate speech, and racism that can, and does in fact, incite violence in our community. We do not view the Oregon State Bar’s statements as political, but as a reminder to all lawyers of the values embedded in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, which we all swear to uphold upon our admission to the bar. Schwabe believes there is nothing political about standing strongly in support of civility, tolerance, diversity, inclusion and equity. We reaffirm our commitment to those human values here.

Schwabe vows not to be deterred in its efforts to promote those values in the legal profession and within our firm. Schwabe has, and will continue to have, a strong and lasting commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion for the central reason that we believe those core values strengthen our profession, align with the core beliefs of our valued clients, conform to societal norms of civility and respect for the differences in others, and represent the firm we continue to strive to be. We are stronger as a law firm and as a profession by celebrating and promoting that diversity and by making Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt and the profession more diverse, inclusive and equitable.

Schwabe states on our website that our commitment to diversity is because: “We see the world beyond our law firm, and are committed to promoting diversity and equity in the legal community and the community at large.

Schwabe has long been a committed supporter of Opportunities for Law in Oregon (“OLIO”) and will remain so. We have expanded our 1L Diversity Fellowship program to include both our Seattle and Portland offices to provide much needed opportunities to diverse 1L law students. We have a robust summer associate program. We value our lawyers’ involvement and leadership in specialty and affinity bar associations in Oregon, Washington, and California and at the national level. Schwabe stands in support of Oregon’s specialty bars’ right to express themselves in a manner consistent with the fundamental rights guaranteed by the covenant of our Constitution, including freedom of speech and association.

Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt knows that a diverse and inclusive profession benefits us all. We reaffirm that the present controversy does not change our commitment to lead, and to lead by example, on these important values. Those values and commitment are personal to us as a Latina and gay man. Each of us has seen and experienced hateful and discriminatory language and acts, and we are dedicated to combatting intolerance and promoting inclusion and diversity in our professional as well as personal lives.